Neighborhood changes dramatized in “Taking Over”

While this one man play discussing gentrification is actually set in Williamsburg, Fort Greene could easily be substituted.  Danny Hoch who founded the Hip Hop Theater Festival and has been involved in several movies (including American Splendor among others) has created a provocative show in which he portrays multiple characters.   The San Francisco Chronicle called it “a stunning and provocatively complex portrait of a community in transition.”

There will be free shows in Queens and the Bronx before it begins its run at the Public Theater from November 11-27.

See this NY Daily News article for more information.

The Fort Greene Park Dust Bowl

Image courtesy of NY Times

Here’s an article from the NYT discussing the dusty field in the middle of Fort Greene Park.   The field, the only flat ground amongst the rolling hills of the park seems to be so popular it doesn’t have time to grow grass.  I know I’ve seen the area fenced off for reseeding before but nothing ever takes root.

A Suspect is in Custody…

Lots of crime posts lately…  At least this one is good news.

Police arrested a suspect in the recent Dekalb Restaurant Row robberies.  44 year old Luis Concepcion is accused of burglarizing Madiba and Luz.  Police used DNA left on a drinking glass to confirm the suspect’s identity.  I’m happy they were finally a little proactive.  Catching a thief red-handed is more difficult than using a little detective work.  See article from the NY Post here…

Crime stats are actually down in the 88th

Surprisingly, according to NYPD CompStat numbers, crime is down 3.6% in the 88th precinct.  Now I’m not quite how telling an “overall” crime statistic is, but regardless a decrease is good.    The trend shows that violent crime is down while burglaries are on the rise (88% versus the same 28 day time period last year…

Make sure to lock your doors, don’t leave anything in site when parking your car and don’t walk around late at night (or in the late afternoon in some cases) listening to your iPod.   Read the CompStat report yourself here.  See an article from The Fort Greene Clinton Hill Courier here…

Public Promenade on Myrtle?

There are plans in place to create a public promenade on Myrtle Avenue by redesigning the existing service road between Hall Street and Emerson Place.  According to this article, the new design the existing service road will become more of a “driveway” with a wider sidewalk and median as well as safer pedestrian crossings.   Two blocks of the service road will be closed and turned into a public plaza. The area business improvement district (BID), Community Board 2 (CB2) and Pratt area all in support of the proposed changes.

Community Board 2 Rejects Changes to Area Parking Rules

CB2 has voted to keep current parking regulations in place.

According to this article, “The proposed changes in Community Board 2 include reducing metered street times to half-hour windows from one hour, and cleaning residential streets once per week instead of twice, as is currently done in Fort Greene and Boerum Hill.”

I have to say I agree with this…  If you don’t move your car more than once a week you probably shouldn’t have a car.  You’re taking up parking for people who actually need their vehicles.  Get up and move it or or at least pay to put it in a garage.  Once a week street cleaning would make the area a parking lot and the streets would be dirtier.  Good job CB2…

Is the Restaurant Row burglar now taunting his (or her) victims?

According to this article in The Brooklyn Paper, a local criminal is no longer simply commiting robberies.   This person is defacing murals, cutting power lines and just being a general pain.  The criminal has hit Chez Oskar (2 or 3 times), Madiba, Sushi D and Bagel World, all on Dekalb.  The funny thing is that it seems everyone, including the police, know who the suspected criminal is but  he (or she) hasn’t been apprehended.  For some reason they are waiting to catch the person red handed.  I’m not sure I agree with this logic since this person has been rampaging through the hood for months now.  This guy hasn’t left a fingerprint or a shoeprint behind?  Okay maybe I’ve watched too many crime shows…

Wednesday Crime Time

From the Brooklyn Paper…  A relatively mild week for crime in the hood.

Restaurant Review…Kif

Photo courtesy of ClintonHillBlog

I’m a little late on this one but I’ve visited Kif a few times now and I’ve had positive experiences every time.  The service, while sometimes a little slow, is always courteous and well versed in the menu’s offerings.  The small appetizers are cheap and delicious.  You can order 5 or 6 then have one of their fantastic tagines or other entrees.  I recently went and the server gave us a free dessert because he was overwhelmed with other tables.  I recommend the chicken briouats (sp?), mussels, any tagine and their Moroccan tea is great.  Brunch is also excellent.  The outdoor space is romantic and the aesthetic is takes one to Casablanca…

BAM Takeover, 9/27/2008

Image courtesy of BAM

In what’s come to be known as one of BAM’s best events of the year, Takeover happens this Saturday.  Here’s what’s in store…

• Great bands
• DJs (King Britt and Viktor Duplaix… Need I say anything else?)
• Four beer themed movies
• Movies from 1985 (The Last Dragon is all you need to know)
• Movies featuring Brooklyn (i.e. The Warriors)
• Wii, Guitar Hero, Rock Band
• and more…

See the BAM Takeover website for more information.